No visit, no problem for 2021 Florida RB in choosing Cyclones
An unofficial visit canceled by the coronavirus pandemic didn’t deter a running back’s plans to commit to Iowa State over the spring, as the 2021 prospect did so remotely via social media on Saturday afternoon.
Lutz (Fla.) Steinbrenner junior Deon Silas chose the Cyclones without having the benefit of a visit, doing so because of the relationships he’s forged with everyone in Ames.
“Coach (Matt) Campbell and his staff are a great group of men,” said Silas. “They’re the ones I want to surround myself. I can look at them as father figures and as coaches. That was the biggest reason. The thing that Coach Campbell is building is incredible. The new running backs coach, (Mick McCall), is great. It’s like a family atmosphere.
“Before I made my decision, I talked to a couple guys that are on the team, like Breece Hall and Kym-Mani King, and they have told me how great of a coaching staff they have. Me and my mom…the education there is great. It’s not just football, but they have a great crew that cares about education. I’m really excited.”
The 5-foot-7, 170-pound Silas, who rushed for 2,039 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2019 season, also had offers from a host of G5 programs including Bowling Green, South Florida and Toledo.
At ISU, the athlete could factor into a variety of different roles.
“I am a versatile player that can play any position,” Silas said. “I can play running back, slot and special teams. It’s just a great situation. I’m coming from high school already running an inside zone, and I can also play outside zone in the slot. It’s a great offense to be fit in to.”
Silas had been planning a late-March visit while the Cyclones were involved in spring practice, to get an in-person look at the program he had been favoring for months.
Although that trip would never come to fruition, Silas said still arrived at the same conclusion…that Ames would be his future home.
“Whenever I can get on campus, I will,” he said. “I talked to my mom and she helped me make this decision. I was supposed to get on campus, but couldn’t due to the coronavirus. That set us back a little bit more. I was going to commit on March 27th around the time of that visit, but I committed today.
“I also have family that lives in Chicago, so that is another factor. Coach McCall sent me videos of the campus, the dorms and that gave me a better sense of the place. It’s a nice and quiet college town. That’s where I would fit in best.”
Silas is the ninth-known commitment for the Cyclones’ 2021 class and the fifth from a recruit on the offensive side of the ball.
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